When it comes to rowing, the position of the coxswain is often considered one of the most important roles. But what exactly does a coxswain do? One question that frequently comes up is whether or not the coxswain steers the boat.
The answer is yes, the coxswain does indeed play a crucial role in steering the boat. In fact, steering is one of the primary responsibilities of the coxswain.
While the rowers are busy focusing on their technique and putting all their effort into pulling the oars, the coxswain is in charge of ensuring that the boat is headed in the right direction. This includes making minor adjustments to the boat’s course as needed, as well as making sure that the boat stays on track with the course that has been set out by the race official.
So how does a coxswain steer the boat? It all comes down to the coxswain’s use of the rudder, which is a small device located at the back of the boat. By manipulating the rudder with a series of cables and pulleys, the coxswain can make the boat turn left or right.
In order to steer the boat effectively, the coxswain must have excellent communication skills. They need to be able to give clear and concise commands to the rowers, letting them know when to speed up, slow down, or make any other adjustments that are necessary. The coxswain also needs to be able to read the conditions of the water and adjust their steering accordingly.
Of course, steering the boat is just one aspect of the coxswain’s role. They are also responsible for motivating and guiding the rowers, as well as keeping track of the time and monitoring the competition. But it’s clear that without the coxswain at the helm, the boat would likely veer off course and potentially lose valuable time.
While rowers are the ones doing the hard work of propelling the boat forward, the coxswain is the unsung hero who keeps the boat moving in the right direction. Steering is just one of the many important tasks that the coxswain is responsible for, and without their skills and expertise, a rowing team would be lost.